CHEAP POLITICKING TO SETTLE SCORES

POLITICAL parties playing the blame game over the human migration that is currently dominating the news agenda – specifically the murder of a foreign national – is proof of how low the bar is among the parties that South Africans have entrusted to lead them.

It took the DA and ActionSA only hours to be at each other’s throats over the murder of Zimbabwean national Elvis Nyathi in Diepsloot, who was burnt to death by xenophobic vigilantes following a march joined by the so-called “Operation Dudula” leaders.

Before we get to the crux of today’s editorial, we have warned in this space on many occasions about the dangers of groupings such as Dudula.

But, as always, the only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing.

For political parties to use Nyathi’s killing to score cheap points is the lowest anyone can stoop.

The DA blames what it calls ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba’s anti-migrant sentiments for the tragic incident, saying: “Populists like Mashaba are fanning the flames of xenophobia, which could lead to a repeat of last year’s riots and chaos.”

For his part, Mashaba wants South Africans to reject the DA’s “tone-deaf politicking on the real pain and tragedy that unfolded in Diepsloot and to try to recreate the fear that terrorised South Africans during the July unrest of last year”.

The political game by the DA and ActionSA to settle their political scores when a family is grieving the loss of a father is nothing short of a disgrace.

In fact, it exposes the uncaring nature of both these parties. Other than shouting from their comfortable air-conditioned offices, we have yet to see any of them visiting the family and offering support.

They could have used this as an opportunity to condemn the actions of the criminals behind Nyathi’s murder.

The issue of illegal immigrants in the country will not be solved by blaming one another, or making it a government problem only.

It’s a sensitive matter that all South Africans should be preoccupied with, and, in doing so, upholding the human rights that everyone in this country enjoys.

Trying to use Nyathi’s murder for political games says a lot about how much the DA and ActionSA value the life of a poor person.